Chiral smectic liquid crystal optical modulators having variable

Details Chiral smectic liquid crystal optical modulators having variable Chiral smectic liquid crystal optical modulators having variable

1991-11-14

1995-01-10

Sikes, William L.

Optical: systems and elements

Holographic system or element

Using a hologram as an optical element

359 70, 359 73, 359260, G02F 1133, G02F 11335

Patent

active

053812530

ABSTRACT:
The present invention provides optical modulators which comprise aligned chiral smectic liquid crystal cells within an optical resonance cavity. The cavity configurations include symmetric and asymmetric Fabry-Perot etalons. The liquid crystal cells can be planar- or homeotropically-aligned and can be discrete state or analog cells. The device configurations of the present invention provide discrete or continuous optical modulation of the phase, intensity, and wavelength of elliptically polarized light, without requiring polarization analyzers. The modulators are optically or electronically addressable in single pixels or arrays of multiple pixels. Certain homeotropically-aligned cells are provided as an aspect of this invention, as are certain variable retarders comprised of planar-aligned cells in combination with birefringent elements.

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